NDMC chalks out Rs 515 crore plan to curb road dust

NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has formulated a five-year plan worth Rs 515 crore in order to mitigate pollution. The plan includes relaying unpaved roads, a freight hub, and purchasing more mechanical sweepers so as to curb dust pollution in the region.

A study of air quality conducted last month in 39 monitoring stations by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) showed that some of the most polluted areas which recorded the worst air quality between November 1 and November 8, were all under the NDMC. It covers the largest geographical area in the city among all three municipal bodies. The official said that the civic body is planning to purchase equipment such as mechanical sweepers, anti-smog guns, and road repair machines worth Rs 25.44 crore.

The official also explained that the funds for the project will be managed from the urban development fund (provided by the central government) and the funds allocated under National Clean Air Action plan. He added that the civic body plans to procure six mechanical sweepers, 12 anti-smog guns, 6 CNG truck-mounted anti-smog guns, and one automatic road patch repair machine.

Dust is one of the key pollution contributors in the capital. A study by the Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur (IIT – K) suggested that the dust from roads, digging and agriculture constitutes highest suspended particulate matter source in Delhi contributing 38 per cent of PM 2.5 and 56 per cent of PM 10 in Delhi.